Mid Devon

Mid Devon's population expanded between the last two censuses. Data from the census show there were changes in work life, housing tenure and health.

The population reached nearly 78,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Mid Devon increased by 11%, from almost 69,800 to 77,800.

The addition of almost 8,000 people means this area's population was the third-fastest-growing in the South West and increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Mid Devon was home to, on average, 0.61 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was similar to the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Fewer people worked long hours

Census 2011 data also show a change in the working patterns of many in Mid Devon.

The percentage of employed people in Mid Devon working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 17% in 2001 to 13% in 2011.

In 2011, just over 1 in 40 (2.9%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 2.0% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell faster here than the figure for the whole of the South West (from 13% in 2001 to 10% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in Mid Devon decreased by 4.8 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in Mid Devon, the South West and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

Changing work life

The rate of self-employment increased in Mid Devon, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in the South West, except Isles of Scilly and Torbay.

Across the South West, the proportion of self-employed people increased from 10.0% to 11% between the last two censuses, while the proportion in nearby Somerset West and Taunton increased from 11% to 12%.

In 2011, just over one in seven (15%) people aged 16 to 74 in Mid Devon said they were self-employed, compared with 15% in 2001. The percentage that were employed increased from 50% to 52%.

The rate of self-employment was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that that said they were self-employed across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Mid Devon that rented privately increased from 11% to 16% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just over one in eight (13%) households lived in social housing, compared with 14% in 2001. The percentage of Mid Devon households that owner their home decreased from 71% to 69%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a slower rate here than the figure for the whole of the South West (from 11% in 2001 to 17% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Mid Devon increased by 4.2 percentage points

Percentage of households in Mid Devon, the South West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Mid Devon residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 7.7% to 4.6% in the decade to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (82%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 70% in 2001. The percentage of Mid Devon residents that described their health as fair decreased from 23% to 13%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 5.1% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Mid Devon decreased by 3.1 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Mid Devon, the South West and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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